First Citizen Award Celebrates 'Salem`s Energy'

The 58th annual First Citizen Awards Banquet happens Friday, February 22nd at the Salem Conference Center.

Photo from recap of 57th Annual First Citizen`s Banquet, held Saturday, February 17th 2007 at the Salem Conference Center. Photo courtesy: Salem, Oregon Chamber of Commerce

(Salem, Ore.) - Local attorney Jim Griggs will soon pass his title of First Citizen on to another worthy person when the city celebrates the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce 58th First Citizen Awards Banquet. The event is Friday, February 22nd at the Salem Conference Center.

According to team leader for the event, Jeanette Moore, AmeriTitle, "we`re so excited about this year`s theme: Celebrating Salem`s Energy. It will bring in all the aspects of energy: Prosperity, Relationship, Reputation, Family, Health, Creativity, Knowledge, Career and Helpfulness. This will really encompass all the qualities of our city’s volunteers."

A community tradition, people speculate on who will be Salem`s next first citizen for weeks in advance of the event. The nominations are kept a secret from the nominee and the committee who selects the recipients keeps results in strict confidence.

The committee seeks candidates who demonstrate outstanding service to community and have a positive impact on Salem.

The Chamber will bestow one First Citizen designation and additional Distinguished Service Awards to worthy nominees. A Public Safety award was launched last year.

Relinquishing their titles from 2006 will be First Citizen, Jim Griggs of Saalfeld Griggs PC; Distinguished Service Award winners were Velda Schooler, Portland General Electric (PGE); and Eileen Zielinski and Sue Bloom, community volunteers. The first ever Public Service Award went to Marion County Sherriff, Russ Isham.

Title sponsorship for this year`s event is held by AmeriTitle and West Coast Bank. Gold sponsors are PGE; NW Natural; Allied Video Productions, Inc.; Drs. Bud and Selma Pierce; and FASTSIGNS. Silver sponsors are Rural Metro Ambulance and Saalfeld Griggs, PC. Supporting sponsors are AKT, LLP; Covanta; Oregon Plant Works/EnerChi Living Spaces; and Sherman, Sherman, Johnnie & Hoyt, LLP.

The event is open to the public. Tickets are $50 and are available at salemchamber.org or by calling 503-581-1466, x300. Past recipients can be viewed on the Chamber`s web site.

Source: Salem Chamber of Commerce